White Oaks of McHenry

White Oaks of McHenry opened in October 2017 to provide the seniors of McHenry, Illinois and the surrounding areas with a warm and welcoming place to call home. White Oaks of McHenry is a memory care facility designed especially for seniors with dementia. The facility is located adjacent to Heritage Woods of McHenry Assisted Living, creating a new campus for the two facilities. The building is comprised of 32 studio units and 8 companion suites, housing a total of 48 seniors.

The building, which was designed using current best practices for housing and care for seniors with dementia, aims to provide residents with the comfort of home, while enhancing their health and well being. The facility is organized into four households, with resident units opening onto home-like common spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms, and sitting areas. Residents are able to move independently within the spaces, and are empowered through design cues to participate in activities of daily life and home. Larger common spaces amenities are also provided such as a cafe, generously lit winter garden, meditation room, multipurpose space and game room.

The design considers the critical role that access to nature and natural light plays in the well-being of residents. The building incorporates generous natural light and views to nature, in each of the households, as well as in two sunrooms, the winter garden, and other larger amenity spaces. Additionally, the design provides opportunities for free access by residents to three secure courtyards, which feature carefully selected landscaping, walking paths, shaded and unshaded seating areas, and raised garden beds, for therapeutic activities. White Oaks of McHenry has been warmly received as a unique asset to McHenry and welcoming home for members of the community.